Controversy in the Super Cup: Munuera Montero allowed Madrid's 2-2 in the 45+7'

Published New:11/01/2026 - 21:26h

Updated New:11/01/2026 - 21:26h

Real Madrid managed to equalize the Spanish Super Cup final before halftime thanks to a goal from Gonzalo García in the 45th+7 minute. Munuera Montero, in principle, added 3' of stoppage time

Refereeing controversies were not lacking in the first half of the FC Barcelona-Real Madrid match, for the final of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup. The main referee, José Luis Munuera Montero, in addition to forgiving a yellow card that bordered on a red for Álvaro Carreras for a nasty tackle on Lamine Yamal in the 26th minute, messed up in stoppage time with an absurdly prolonged added time.

The Andalusian referee, in principle, added three minutes of stoppage time in a first half with few interruptions. Vinicius Jr. scored the 1-1 in the 45+2' and the referee decided to add one more minute. Up to that point, everything was fine.

However, **Robert Lewandowski**, once again put Barça ahead in the 45+4', after a notable finish to a through ball from Pedri. The first half seemed to end there, but Munuera Montero, inexplicably, let play continue until the 45+8', extending the added time before halftime from three to eight minutes

Gonzalo scored Madrid's second goal in the 45+7'

The whites earned a corner from the right after a quick counter-attack preceded by a possible foul on Koundé. José Luis Munuera allowed Rodrygo to take the corner kick, and from that action, the equalizer came about in an unusual way.

**Dean Huijsen** headed the ball directly at the crossbar, after a deflection from Raphinha. The Brazilian managed to prevent the goal with a remarkable stretch, but the rebound fell to **Gonzalo García**. The Madrid forward, from the ground, anticipated Pedri to get a last-ditch shot away that beat Frenkie de Jong after hitting the post.

Thus, Real Madrid, amid controversy, managed to go into halftime at 2-2, with controversy included. Barça was far superior, controlling possession from the start (77%) and putting the 'Merengues' on the ropes after the initial 1-0 in the 36th minute, scored by **Raphinha** thanks to another perfect pass from Pedri.